C'da,
>However, I DO have a problem with the nauseating degree of these 'fake' and sometimes >completely un-deserved courtesies that our people are either mired in, or are compelled to >perpetuate.
With this I agree. Last time at Guwahati, I wanted to touch base with an old friend of mine, who has now become a minister. When I called, the PA (probably an IAS) kick up the phone and 'robo dei, SAAR phone ot aise'
That 'Saar' kind of intrigued me. But its not just ministers or bureaucrats.
But if you look at Indian/Assamese society as a whole all the rickshaw wallahs, thela walla, dohbis call everyone else 'babu' or 'memshhib' - whether they deserve it or not.
To that extent, this is a British holdover and the emphasis seems to be on eternal servitude.
The English have always use 'Sir' or 'Ma'am' to address others (whether they are knighted or benighted). In the US too, its pretty common. So, whats the difference between whats done in the West and in India.
I think: In the West, they say 'Sir' or 'Ma'am' without meaning in, while in India a sense of servitude is attached to such terms.
Just my thoughts.
Just my thoughts.
--Ram
On 8/19/05, Chan Mahanta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I have no problem with that Prasenjit.
However, I DO have a problem with the nauseating degree of these 'fake' and sometimes completely un-deserved courtesies that our people are either mired in, or are compelled to perpetuate.
Just look the overuse and misuse of the 'honorable' or 'hon'ble' appellation, that abounds in the media, requiring the people to call address their servants, MLA's, MPs,Ministers--minor or major, tin-pot dictators of magistrates/hakims ad nauseum. It is yet another of those left-over colonial / imperial traits that help perpetuate that these folks are the ' bosses' of the people, instead of their real role in a democratic society--that of the 'servant of the people'.
It is time to change that.
If the British prefer to remain a monarchica society replete witheir sirs and lords and ladies, that is their choice. Why should the people of Assam follow those outdated and alien ways?
At 8:16 AM +0100 8/19/05, Prasenjit Chetia wrote:Cda;
These small formalities make up your bigger identity.
Cheers!!
prasenjit
On 8/18/05, Chan Mahanta < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> I agree.
>
> The emphasis should be on asking pertinent questions and getting forthright
> answers.
>
>
> I realize, we 'probaxis' have shed a lot of our traditional formalities,
> which many of our peers back in Assam might find uncouth and impolite. But
> be that as it may, the focus should be on the substance and not on the
> appearances and formalities.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> At 7:52 AM -0700 8/18/05, Dilip/Dil Deka wrote:
> I really do not see any problem in the use of "tumi" as long as neither Mr.
> Bhuyan and Mr. Sarma had any objection. After all there are three accepted
> forms of "you" in Assamese - "Apuni, Tumi and Toi", and they are used as
> appropriate between two people.
> If Bhuyan used "Apuni" just for the show, it would have been artificial and
> probably would have put a barrier in the flow of words.
>
> Dilip Deka
>
>
>
> muktikam phukan < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hello everybody
>
> I've a small observation to make. Recently I've been to Sivasagar for some
> official job. It was nice to see the TV channel called NE TV catering to all
> the major languages of NE including Sikkim. One of the programme I saw was a
> Talk Show titled "Ekap Half Chah". The anchor Sri Atanu Bhuyan was
> interviewing a young Assam Minister, Sri Himanta Biswa Sarma. But, I was
> really astonished to hear Sri Bhuyan calling Sri Sarma "TUMI" all through
> the programme. Is it not really very unprofessional? Even if Sri Sarma is
> very junior to Sri Bhuyan or even if they r very good friends, some decorum
> should have been maintained in such public programmes by calling him
> "APUNI". After all he is a H'ble Minister of the Govt of Assam, duly elected
> by the people of Jalukbari. These r small things but if taken care of will
> go a long way in improving the programmes of this budding channel.
> My observation has nothing personal against anybody and I may kindly be
> corrected if I m wrong.
>
> Muktikam Phukan
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--
Prasenjit Chetia
Atlanta, GA
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